We know that Bottlenose Dolphins can recognize themselves in mirrors. But what about killer whales? They seem pretty smart as well and wikipedia says, "Killer Whales may be able to recognize themselves in mirrors."
(Photo by Marineland Antibes)
I miss this pod so much.
Rest in Peace, Freya, Val, Moana & Inouk.
(Image by hunter d. photography sourced via Inherently Wild)
I've written this post after a few discussions about what their names mean.
For now, it's SeaWorld and the EU.
Note: Some name meanings may be misattributed.
SeaWorld Parks:
EU:
Marineland Antibes
Loro Parque
On the recent news of Wikie and Keijo potentially being transferred (not confirmed 100%), I wanted to make this a little tribute for the pod.
Photo Credit: Edgefall (IG) via Inherently Wild
The French minister was this morning at Marineland Antibes to release a statement and check the state of the infrastructures. He announced that the French government has all authorization for transfer : Wikie and Keijo to Loro Parque and dolphins to Selwo Marina and Oceanografic. Next step is now in the hands of Parques Reunidos and Spanish parks. Transfer is expected before Summer. This change of plan was made after minor issues due to water quality and inbreeding problems came out.
Remarks:
Finally, I'm so excited for their new life and I hope Keijo will make good friends with Adan. A bit concerned about Wikie and Morgan fighting over the role of matriarch, other than that it seems alright, sad that Moana and Inouk didn't make it.
What are all your honest thoughts and opinions on waterworks?
Photo: Sumar at SeaWorld San Diego (I used his pic, because today is his birthday), photo rightfully belongs to the respectful owner.
I find them to be beautiful and special but at the same time, I find waterworks a bit tacky and risky towards the safety of the trainers, and I believe if there are other forms of enrichment, they should be discontinued. I agree with SeaWorld, Europe and China's decisions to not do waterworks.
But there are exceptions,
Why Florida banned Toki's trainers from swimming with her - because of what Tilikum did, years earlier. They don't care about the stimulation of the whale who was known to be mostly sweet and kind to her trainers, Tokitae, for nearly half a century, Now Toki would now be deprived of one of her most important forms of enrichment. In her tiny pool and lack of killer whale companionship and toys, human companionship was the most precious thing she had.
Pic.1: Kayla doing an alien
Pic.2: Kayla (and Katina cameo)
Pic.3: Kayla and Malia
Pic.4: Kayla and her mom, Kenau
All photos rightfully belong to their owners..
Rest in Peace, Kayla
ID: Keto, Haida II, Kyuquot, Kayla and Winnie (left to right).
Photo by New York Daily News.
What are some hot / controversial takes related to captive orcas (or any captive animal in general) you all have?
This girl is so underrated, I wish she was with us right now.
Unna was Katina's fourth calf born on December 27, 1996. On August 23rd, 2002, Katina gave birth to Unna’s younger brother, Ikaika. Unna was present for the birth and learned how to care for a calf. However, less than four months later, Unna was moved to SeaWorld San Antonio where she would remain for the rest of her life.
Unna enjoyed spending time with Takara and acted as an "auntie" to Takara's calves. Unna met Sakari at two weeks old and after less than a day, Takara was allowing Unna and Sakari to interact with each other, she also met Kamea, Takara's next calf a few weeks after her birth.
Unna was a dominant orca and would put the less dominant orcas in their place. Unna performed waterworks before they were stopped in 2010 and she never showed aggression towards her trainers.
In late Summer 2015, Unna came down with a strain of fungus known as Candida. After several months of intense treatment, Unna passed away on December 21, 2015 from a systemic bacterial infection and candida, just 6 days before her 19th birthday.
Rest in Peace, Unna
We miss you.
Photos by SeaWorld
At around 6:00 PM PDT on May 3rd, 2002, Takara went into labor. Two and a half hours later, at 8:30 PM, Kohana was born. Kohana's grandmother, Kasatka, and her young calf, Nakai were both present for her birth. The birth was covered on an episode of That's My Baby. Takara was an excellent mother, and she, Kohana, Nakai, and Kasatka spent a lot of time together. Kohana was surrounded by her mother, grandmother, uncle, and surrogate aunts. She was the second orca born through artificial insemination.
On April 24th, 2004, just before her second birthday, Kohana and her mother were moved to SeaWorld Orlando. There, they joined her father (Tilikum) and others, she also met her half-sister, Skyla with whom she grew close.
Soon after their arrival, a subadult male, Taku, took interest in Takara and conceived a calf with her. On November 23rd, 2005, Takara gave birth to her second calf, a son named Trua.
Kohana and Skyla, along with Keto and Tekoa, arrived in Loro Parque on February 14th, 2006. On the morning of October 13th, 2010, Kohana gave birth to Adan at 8 years old. While on the younger side, Kohana had a healthy pregnancy, however without the support of her mother or grandmother, Kohana showed no interest in her calf. Adán was hand-raised by the Loro Parque staff and later reintroduced to his mother. They bonded as podmates, but it was not a traditional mother-son relationship. In 2011, a rescued female, Morgan arrived.
Shortly after Adán was born, Kohana became pregnant, this time with a female calf, again sired by Keto. On August 3rd, 2012, Kohana gave birth to her second calf, Victoria who passed away at 10 months old. In 2021, Skyla and Ula passed away from Twisted Intestines.
In 2022, Kohana unexpectedly passed away at Loro Parque on September 14th, 2022 from a Heart Defect and Infectious Endocarditis at 20 years old. Kohana was the matriarch of the pod and was known to like spending time with her trainers.
Rest in Peace, Kohana
We miss you
Photo credits go to Loro Parque
Photo provided by Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park via Orca Pod Wikia.
I hope these two aren't separated and Cody won't go to Zhengzhou Haichang Ocean Park. He's very young and close to Cookie.
Photo Provided by SeaWorld via Orca Pod Wikia
Kayla, Malia, Nalani, Taima, Katina, Kalina and Trua (Left to Right)